Llorente's late strike for Bilbao books Europa League final showdown with Atletico

Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente
struck a late goal to secure a 3-1 win over Sporting on Thursday that
put his side into next month's Europa League final after a thriller at
San Mames.

Bilbao won 4-3 on aggregate with
towering striker Llorente the hero, creating their first two goals and
volleying home the crucial strike in the 88th minute that moved the
Basque club within touching distance of a first continental trophy.

Both sides drove forward at every opportunity and both had chances
before Sporting pulled level on the night when the ball fell to Dutch
striker van Wolfswinkel on the edge of the penalty area and he fired low
into the corner.

Sporting's aggregate lead lasted two minutes before Llorente got his
second assist when he set Gomez clear to finish with a shot into the far
corner in first half added time.

Local hero: Atletico Madrid's midfielder Adrian Lopez

The second period followed a similar pattern to the first, Bilbao's Javi
Martinez heading against a post from a corner and Emiliano Insua also
striking the frame of the goal with a powerful deflected low drive for
Sporting.

But with extra time looming, Llorente pounced to score the crucial goal that delighted the ecstatic home fans.